Harley-Davidson dealership to host 9-day bikefest in July

This is a 2012 file photo of more than 50 motorcyclists gathered outside the Harley Davidson store in Millcreek Township awaiting the grand opening of the store on July 5. CHRISTOPHER MILLETTE/ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Motorcycle enthusiasts can rev their engines at another Erie rally this summer.

Harley-Davidson of Erie will host a bikefest July 13-21 at the Millcreek Township dealership, 3712 W. 12th St.

Kelly Lapping and his wife, Susan, the dealership's co-owners, unveiled plans for their event Tuesday night at a meeting with the Erie Chapter of the Harley Owners Group.

Part of the Harley Bikefest will run concurrently with the seventh annual Roar on the Shore Bike Rally, which will be held July 18-21. The Harley Bikefest is not a Roar on the Shore-sanctioned event.

Kelly Lapping said his dealership will remain a major sponsor of the Roar on the Shore and its Thunder on the Isle: The Mayor's Ride around Presque Isle State Park.

"We think the success of the Roar on the Shore, and the passion and the enthusiasm for motorcycles in the community provided the perfect foundation for at least a weeklong bike event,'' Kelly Lapping said. "This is not a competition with Roar on the Shore. We are a major sponsor of that. We think it's going to help enhance Roar on the Shore.''

Kelly Lapping said he has assured Roar on the Shore officials and Mayor Joe Sinnott the Harley event will help the rally grow.

Roar on the Shore organizers said the 2012 event attracted nearly 80,000 people and generated more than $20 million.

"We've been there from day one. We've donated a brand new Harley motorcycle every year,'' Kelly Lapping said. "We will also sponsor and raise money for this year's (Roar on the Shore) charity through the Mayor's Ride. We anticipate we will help the Roar on the Shore raise between $30,000 and $40,000.''

The Lappings opened their 60,000-square-foot Harley dealership in July.

Their nine-day bikefest will include a scheduled appearance by Paul Yaffe, a nationally known custom-bike builder, July 19-20. Fourteen local bands and two regional bands are scheduled to perform.

The national headliner will be the Jasmine Cain Band, which is scheduled to appear July 19-20.

Other activities include national and regional vendors, a charity poker run, a tattoo fest, group motorcycle rides, a bikini bike wash, Harley demonstration rides, and a Harley-Davidson boot camp.